First All Women Functioned Flights in Africa

Addis Ababa (HAN) November 23, 2015 – Public Diplomacy and Regional Aviation Security News. Ethiopia Airlines changed aviation tradition to empower African women.

Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s most profitable airline has scored another first, an all-female crew.

The history making flight deck crew operated the flight from the capital, Addis Ababa to Bangkok, Thailand. Ethiopian Airlines called it, “ Ethiopian first All Women Functioned Flight”.

According to Ethiopian Airlines Aviation reports, every part of the flight was done by a woman, from the pilots who flew the plane, cabin crew, ground staff, and air traffic controllers. Even an all female customs and immigration officers crew on arrival in Bangkok.

Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebre Mariam told Geeska Afrika Online reporter by Phone that “the historic endeavour was meant to empower and inspire women in Africa and throughout the World.”

“It’s going to be very inspiring for all the women all over the world, aviation women and particularly the African woman. Because, as you know, here in the continent of Africa, we are lagging behind in women empowerment. So this is going to inspire all the school girls in Africa that they have a very bright future in the 21st century,” Gebremariam said.

Captain Amsale Gualu, pilot on the flight said, “This flight shows us that if women get equal opportunities and work hard I’m sure they can achieve whatever they want in all fields, including the aviation industry”.

Voice of America reported that one third of the airline’s employees are women, “but the number is smaller when it comes to positions such as pilots and technicians”.

The airline says it endeavours to be an equal opportunity employer.

Ethiopia has made great strides towards offering world class aviation services and the airline’s efforts have been rewarded, winning the coveted Passenger Choice Award for “Best Airline in Africa” in September.

In another historic achievement earlier this month, two female Air Zimbabwe pilots were the first all female flight deck crew on the airline’s Boeing 737 from Harare to Victoria Falls.

Ethiopian Airlines Pilot Amsale Gualu and First Officer Selam Tesfaye Photo: Ethiopian Airlines